Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living: Additional Support for School Pupils and HE Students

Monday 24 October 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • In September 2022, introductory meetings were held with counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to discuss cost of living issues.
  • 9 million has been allocated for free school meals and over 2 billion for the pupil premium to support disadvantaged students.
  • The former Education Secretary's idea was to extend free school meals to more children than any other Government in the past half-century.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Deidre Brock SNP
Education Economy
Context

The question arises from discussions on the impact of rising costs on educational support.

Question

What recent discussions have been had with counterparts in devolved Administrations regarding additional support for school pupils and higher education students amid cost of living increases?

Answer from Andrea Jenkyns

In September 2022, introductory meetings were held with counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These included cost of living issues; however, providing additional support is a devolved responsibility.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Providing specific commitments or actions for additional support

How: Education Is Devolved

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Q2 Deidre Brock SNP
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Children & Families
Context

A Government advisor criticized the response to a national food strategy, citing concerns about increased child hunger.

Question

The Government's lead adviser on food issues has condemned the Minister's response to the national food strategy. With reports of children crying due to hunger and Scotland providing free school meals for primary students up to age 16, when will this Government match these actions?

Answer from Andrea Jenkyns

£1.9 million has been allocated for free school meals and over £2 billion for the pupil premium, supporting disadvantaged students through reforms.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitments to match Scottish support levels

How: Perhaps The Hon. Lady Could Learn From What We Are Doing Here

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Q3 Carol Monaghan SNP
Education Children & Families
Context

Research suggests significant returns on investment in free school meals, with families struggling to survive.

Question

Given the scale of the problem, when will this Government match Scotland's commitment to universal free school meals for primary children and a transformational child payment?

Answer from Andrea Jenkyns

The former Education Secretary's idea was extended free school meals to more children than any other Government in the past half-century. The devolved Administrations are well funded to deliver their responsibilities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitments to match Scottish support levels

How: Let Us Look At The Funding We Have Given Scotland

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